The European Union agency considered aspartame-acesulfame salt safe, a sweetener used in various sugar-free or reduced-energy foods and beverages, such as soft drinks and yogurts. The decision has reignited the debate on the safety of artificial sweeteners in food.
The European agency's assessment was contested by several non-governmental organizations, which classified the opinion as "scandalous". The NGOs question the criteria used in the analysis and publicly challenge the conclusion that the product is safe for consumption.
Aspartame-acesulfame salt is widely used by the food industry as an alternative to traditional sugar, especially in products aimed at consumers seeking to reduce caloric intake or control sucrose consumption.
